Changing the Way Objects Look in Floor Plan View

QUESTION

I would like to change the colors used in plan view for a variety of objects - for example, cabinets, doors, electrical items and dimension lines. How do I do this?

ANSWER

In Chief Architect, you can change both the line color and the line style used to represent nearly all objects in floor plan view - including walls, floors, furniture and many other objects. Line color and style can be changed for an entire category of objects, organized by layer in the program, or for individual objects. 

This article will cover the following:

• Changing the display of objects by layer
• Changing the display of a single object

Changing the display of objects by layer

Layer display settings let you control the appearance of objects assigned to a particular layer. Changes to a layer can affect multiple objects, making this a convenient way to maintain consistent display properties throughout a plan.

1. Select Tools> Layer Settings> Display Options  from the menu. 
   
   
   
2. In the Layer Display Options  dialog select a layer to modify.
   
   
   
3. Underneath the Properties for Selected Layer section at the bottom of the dialog:
   
   
   
   
   • Select the desired Color of the lines for objects on the selected layer.
     
     
   • Set the Line Weight of objects on the selected layer. 
     
     

     Line weights will be shown when line weights are enabled or when printing. See the Related Articles section for more information on line weights.

     
     
   • Set the Line Style for objects on the selected layer.
     
     
   • Adjusting the Text Style will adjust the label text, if you're adjusting a label layer.
     
     

     For more information on adjusting the appearance of labels, see the Related Articles section.

     
     
   • Adjust the Fill Style* for objects on the selected layer. The fill style will only appear for objects on the selected layer if the object's fill style is set to "Use Layer". Information on adjusting an object's fill style is covered in the next section.
     
     *Available in X18 and newer versions.
     
     
   • Click OK to save your changes.
     
     
   
   

Changing the display of a single object

1. With the Select Objects  tool active, click on an object that you would like to modify the 2D display of to select it, then use the Open Object  edit tool to open the object's specification dialog.
   
   
   
2. On the Line Style panel of the specification dialog:
   
   
   
   
   • Click the color bar and select the desired Color for your line in the Color Chooser dialog. 
     
     

     Check the "By Layer" checkbox to have the object derive its properties from its assigned layer.

     
     
   • Select a Line Style from the Style drop-down list.
     
     
   • Select a Line Weight which will display when Show Line Weights  is turned on as well as when printed. 
     
     
   • Also, the drawing order of the object that's open can be changed if it becomes superimposed with other objects. This can be done using the Drawing Group drop down. 
   
   

   Some objects, such as walls, doors, and windows do not have a Line Style panel. Instead, you can place individual objects on any layer that you need to on the Layer panel of the specification dialog.

   
   
3. A number of objects also have a Fill Style panel in both their defaults and specification dialogs.
   
   
   
   
   • Select a Fill Pattern from the Type drop-down list.
     
     

     In Chief Architect X18 and newer versions, assign the "Use Layer" type to have the object derive the fill style from its assigned layer.

     
     
   • Specify the patterns Scale options to your liking.
     
     
   • Specify the Offset and Angle settings.
     
     
   • Use the Pattern Appearance settings to choose a Color for the pattern lines and specify Transparent Pattern Background if desired.
     
     
   • The Transparency of the pattern lines can also be adjusted.